EP3170433A1 - Coffee grinder with integrated scale - Google Patents
Coffee grinder with integrated scale Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3170433A1 EP3170433A1 EP16195106.6A EP16195106A EP3170433A1 EP 3170433 A1 EP3170433 A1 EP 3170433A1 EP 16195106 A EP16195106 A EP 16195106A EP 3170433 A1 EP3170433 A1 EP 3170433A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- coffee
- collection jar
- jar
- coffee grinder
- base
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01G—WEIGHING
- G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
- G01G19/52—Weighing apparatus combined with other objects, e.g. furniture
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J42/00—Coffee mills; Spice mills
- A47J42/38—Parts or details
- A47J42/40—Parts or details relating to discharge, receiving container or the like; Bag clamps, e.g. with means for actuating electric switches
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J42/00—Coffee mills; Spice mills
- A47J42/38—Parts or details
Definitions
- the present concept generally related to a coffee grinder apparatus and, more particularly, to a coffee grinder apparatus having a collection jar with an integrated scale.
- One aspect of the present concept includes a coffee grinder apparatus having a housing with a support base, a pedestal portion extending upwardly from the support base, and a motor housing extending outwardly from the pedestal portion above the support base to define a jar receiving area therebetween.
- a motor is disposed in the motor housing and is operably coupled to a grinder assembly for powering the same.
- a hopper is operably coupled to an upper mounting portion of the motor housing disposed above the grinder assembly.
- the hopper assembly includes a cavity configured to hold coffee beans.
- the cavity includes an open base portion which opens into the grinder assembly.
- a collection jar is configured for reception in the jar receiving area and includes a vessel which defines a cavity for collecting ground coffee expelled from the grinder assembly during a grinding procedure.
- a scale assembly is included in the collection jar for weighing the ground coffee received in the vessel of the collection jar.
- a coffee grinder apparatus having a housing which includes a support base spaced-apart from a motor housing that is interconnected by a pedestal portion to define a jar receiving area therebetween.
- a motor is disposed in the motor housing and a grinder assembly is operably coupled to the motor for powering the same.
- a hopper is operably coupled to an inlet of the motor housing which is disposed above the grinder assembly. The hopper is configured to hold coffee beans for grinding during a grinding procedure.
- a collection jar is configured for lateral reception in the jar receiving area and includes a base portion operably coupled to a vessel body, wherein the vessel body is configured to collect ground coffee from the grinder assembly during the grinding procedure.
- An integrated scale assembly is configured for weighing an amount of ground coffee received in the vessel body of the collection jar.
- a digital display is disposed in the base portion of the collection jar and is operably coupled to the integrated scale assembly. The digital display is configured to display a weight of the amount of ground coffee received in the vessel body of the collection jar.
- Another aspect of the present concept includes a method of using a coffee grinding apparatus having an integrated scale assembly.
- the method includes the steps of: 1) placing coffee beans in a vessel of a hopper mounted to an inlet of a motor housing, wherein the inlet opens into a grinder assembly of the coffee grinding apparatus; 2) removably mounting a collection jar on a support pad of the coffee grinding apparatus disposed below an outlet of the motor housing; 3) grinding the coffee beans from the vessel of the hopper using a motor configured to power the grinder assembly; 4) depositing an amount of ground coffee into a vessel of the collection jar; 5) weighing the amount of ground coffee using a digital measuring device integrated into a base portion of the collection jar, the digital measuring device including: one or more weight sensors operably coupled to a bottom wall of the vessel of the collection jar; a power source operably coupled to the one or more weight sensors; a digital interface operably coupled to the one or more weight sensors and further coupled to a digital display; 6) sensing a weight of the amount of ground coffee using
- the terms "upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1 .
- the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary.
- the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
- a coffee grinder apparatus 10 having a body portion 12 which includes a support base 14, a pedestal portion 16 which extends upwardly from the support base 14, and a motor housing 18 which is supported by the pedestal portion 16 and extends over the support base 14 to define a jar receiving area therebetween.
- the motor housing 18 is configured to house a motor 20 which is operably coupled with a grinder assembly 22.
- the grinder assembly 22 is contemplated to be a burr grinder having metal burr grinding elements configured to grind coffee beans as powered by the motor 20.
- a power switch 24 is disposed on the pedestal portion 16 of the coffee grinder apparatus 10 and is configured to selectively provide power to the motor for powering a grinding sequence of the coffee grinder apparatus 10.
- the coffee grinder apparatus 10 is contemplated to include a power cord for plugging into a household receptacle.
- the body portion 12 further includes a user interface 30 disposed on a front end of the motor housing 18 which includes a rotary dial 32 disposed adjacent a stationary bezel 34.
- the rotary dial 32 is configured for rotation along a path as indicated by arrow R to select a grind setting which typically will include markings disposed on the bezel 34 for selection by a user. It is contemplated that rotation of the rotary dial 32 provides for various settings between the burr grinding elements to provide ground coffee (GC) suitable for various brewing techniques, such as French press, siphon, pour over, espresso, and other like settings.
- GC ground coffee
- the bezel 34 is coupled to the motor housing 18 via fasteners 36 which can be removed for accessing a driveshaft and other components of the grinder assembly 22.
- the coffee grinding apparatus 10 further includes an upper mounting portion 40 disposed on the motor housing 18, and a lower outlet portion 42 disposed below and aligned with the upper mounting portion 40 and the grinder assembly 22.
- an upper vessel or hopper jar 50 is configured to mount to the upper mounting portion 40 at an open base portion 51.
- the hopper 50 includes a vessel body portion 53 which defines a cavity 52 configured to hold coffee beans CB for grinding by the coffee grinder apparatus 10.
- the hopper 50 essentially defines a coffee bean hopper for the coffee grinder apparatus 10 and includes a lid 54 for coupling to an open top portion 56 of the hopper 50 to seal the cavity 52.
- the upper mounting portion 40 defines an inlet through which coffee beans CB pass through from the open base portion 51 of the hopper 50 to the grinder assembly 22.
- the coffee grinder apparatus 10 further includes a lower vessel or collection jar 60 having a vessel body portion 62 which generally defines a cavity 64 for collecting ground coffee GC as ground and expelled by the grinder assembly 22 through outlet 42 during a grinding procedure.
- the vessel body 62 includes a bottom wall 66 having an upper surface 66a ( FIG. 2 ) on which the ground coffee GC is generally deposited during a coffee grinding event as received from the lower outlet 42 through an open top 68 of the vessel body 62.
- the collection jar 60 further includes a base portion 70 having a user interface 72 as well as a digital display 74.
- the user interface 72 is shown in the form of a push button feature which may be used to turn on and off an integrated scale assembly 80 ( FIG.
- the digital display 74 is contemplated to be an electronic display screen, such as an LCD screen assembly, used to display a measured weight of ground coffee GC received in the cavity 64 of the collection jar 60. It is contemplated that the digital display 74 can toggle between grams "g” and ounces "Oz", or other units of measure, as selected by the user using the user interface 72. Thus, the user interface 72 toggles the digital display 74 between a first unit of measure (grams) and a second unit of measure (ounces). The user interface 72 can also be used to clear the scale assembly 80 for a zero reading or tare the scale assembly 80 for beginning a new weighing procedure in the collection jar 60.
- the collection jar 60 is laterally received in the jar receiving area 26 in a direction as indicated by arrow A.
- the jar receiving area 26 is defined between the motor housing 18, and specifically the lower outlet 42 thereof, and a support surface 15 of the support base 14 on which the collection jar 60 is supported and received.
- the collection jar 60 has a combined height H of the vessel body 62 and base portion 70, such that the open top 68 is disposed directly adjacent to the lower outlet 42 of the housing 12. In this way, the collection jar 60 is configured to receive the ground coffee GC during a grinding sequence in such a manner as to avoid ground coffee missing the collection jar 60 during the sequence.
- the collection jar 60 is shown with the open top 68 configured to receive ground coffee GC ( FIG. 1 ) therethrough along the path as indicated by arrow P.
- the ground coffee GC FIG. 1
- the base portion 70 includes an upper collar 76 and a bottom cover 78 which are coupled together to define a general structure of the base portion 70 in which the integrated scale assembly 80 is disposed.
- the collection jar 60 is shown in a cross-sectional view with components of an integrated scale assembly 80 shown disposed in the base portion 70.
- the integrated scale 80 is operably coupled to the vessel body 62 of the collection jar 60 at a lower surface 66b of the bottom wall 66 for weighing the contents of the cavity 64 of the collection jar 60, as further described below.
- the integrated scale assembly 80 or digital measuring device, is shown entirely disposed within the base portion 70 of the collection jar 60 and includes a battery cover 82 for housing first and second batteries 84, 86 which define a power source (separate from the contemplated power cord) used to power the integrated scale assembly 80.
- the first and second batteries 84, 86 are contemplated to be AA or AAA size batteries, however, it is contemplated that any number of batteries or battery size sufficient to power the integrated scale assembly 80 may be used with the present concept.
- the batteries 84, 86 are operably and electrically coupled to individual weight sensors 90 which are operably coupled to the bottom cover 78 of the base portion 70 via fasteners 92.
- the weight sensors 90 define a plurality of weight sensors or a sensor array disposed in the base portion 70.
- the weight sensors 90 include upper contact pads 94 which are generally planar surfaces configured to abut the lower surface 66b of the bottom wall 66 of the collection jar 60, as best shown in FIG. 3 .
- the weight sensors 90 are contemplated to be sub-miniature resistive load cells having the accuracy necessary to precisely measure an amount of ground coffee received in the collection jar 60.
- the weight sensors 90 can be any type of weighing sensor such as strain gauges, transducers, load cells, or pressure sensors, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present concept to any one type of sensor.
- the weight sensors 90 are contemplated to be used in a compression force measurement application for measuring the ground coffee received in the cavity 64 of the collection jar 60. Thus, as ground coffee is received in the cavity 64 of the collection jar 60, the weight of the ground coffee is transferred to the weight sensors 90 for measurement thereof.
- the weight sensors 90 are operably and electrically coupled to a digital interface 100 which is configured to send display commands to the display 74 for displaying a measured weight of ground coffee received from the weight sensors 90 in use.
- the digital interface 100 is contemplated to be a micro-chip, printed circuit board (PCB), or other like digital processor capable of taking load information in the form of electric signals sent from the separate weight sensors 90 and processing the signal information for display on the digital display 74 of the base portion 70.
- PCB printed circuit board
- the digital interface 100 is contemplated to be a PCB which is best shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7 .
- the user interface button 72 is also operably coupled to the digital interface 100 for use in taring or zeroing the scale 80, as well as providing other features selected by a user, such as a change in measuring units. It is contemplated that any number of weight sensors 90 can be used in conjunction with the present concept, and as coffee grounds are randomly compiled in the cavity 64 of the collection jar 60, multiple weight sensors 90 are shown for use with the present concept in FIG. 4 for calculating a measured weight using a number of various weight inputs from the different weight sensors 90.
- the base portion 70 of the collection jar 60 further includes upstanding support members 102 which upwardly extend from an upper surface 78a of the bottom cover 78 of the base portion 70 via fasteners 104.
- the upstanding support members 102 further include U-shaped arm features 106 which are flexibly resilient and configured to protect the integrated scale assembly 80 from an overload situation.
- the upstanding support members 102 are configured to abut the lower surface 66b of the bottom wall 66 of the vessel body 62 in an overload situation to protect the weight sensors 90 from damage.
- the bottom cover 78 further includes a removable or opening battery cover 110 having a locking feature 112 for providing access to and for closing the battery housing 82 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
- a plurality of support feet 114 are disposed on and downwardly extend through the bottom cover 78. The support feet 114 are configured to support the weight sensors 90 which ultimately weigh and support the collection jar 60 on a support surface, such as support surface 15 of the coffee grinder apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 .
- Each support foot 114 may include a rubberized feature for providing extra grip for the collection jar 60 as supported on a support surface.
- the base portion 70 is shown with the display 74 and the digital interface 100 coupled together and exploded away from the base portion 70.
- a weight sensor 90 is shown in an exploded form away from the base portion 70.
- the base portion 70 includes a plurality of compartments 120 which extend upwardly from the upper surface 78a of the bottom cover 78.
- a receiving aperture 122 is disposed through the bottom cover 78 within the confines of each of the compartments 120.
- Each compartment 120 is configured to receive a weight sensor 90, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
- the weight sensor 90 further includes a base support member 130 having a support platform 132 and a base sleeve portion 134.
- the base sleeve portion 134 extends downwardly from the support platform 132 and is configured to at least partially receive a support column 136 therein.
- the support column 136 includes a foot 114 disposed on a lower portion thereof for supporting the weight sensor 90 as described above.
- the weight sensor 90 further includes a beam 140 which is configured to couple to the support platform 132 of the base support member 130 via fasteners 142.
- the beam 140 is a deformable member configured to flex or deform as coffee grounds are added to the collection jar 60 such that a change in resistance and voltage output can be measured by the weight sensor 90 for processing by the digital interface 100.
- the vessel body 62 of the collection jar 60 floats on the weight sensors 90 to a very minimal extent such that the contents of the cavity 64 defined by the vessel body 62 can be weighed by the weight sensors 90 as coupled thereto.
- the weight sensor 90 is shown having the support column 136 extending through the bottom cover 78 with foot 114 disposed thereon for supporting the weight sensor 90 through the base portion 70.
- the weight sensor 90 further supports the vessel body 62 at a lower surface 66b of the bottom wall 66 of the vessel body 62 in a way that the weight sensor 90 can weigh the contents of the cavity 64 of the vessel body 62.
- a method of using the coffee grinding apparatus 10 is also disclosed herein, wherein the method includes the steps of: 1) taring the digital measuring device integrated scale assembly 80 using the user interface 72. 2) Placing coffee beans CB ( FIG. 1 ) in the vessel 53 of the bean hopper 50 mounted to the inlet 40 of the motor housing 18, wherein the inlet 40 opens into the grinder assembly 22 of the coffee grinding apparatus 10. 3) Removably mounting the collection jar 60 on a support surface 15 of the coffee grinding apparatus 10 disposed below the outlet 42 of the motor housing 18. 4) Grinding the coffee beans CB from the vessel 53 of the hopper 50 using the motor 20 configured to power the grinder assembly 22. 5) Depositing an amount of ground coffee GC into the vessel 62 of the collection jar 60.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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- Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
Abstract
A coffee grinder apparatus (10) includes a housing (12) with a support base (14), a pedestal portion (16), and a motor housing (18) extending outwardly from the pedestal portion (16) above the support base (14) to define a jar receiving area (26). A motor (20) is disposed in the motor housing (18) and is operably coupled to a grinder assembly (22). A hopper (50) is operably coupled to an upper mounting portion (40) of the motor housing (18) disposed above the grinder assembly (22). The hopper (50) includes a cavity (52) configured to hold coffee beans (CB) with an open base portion (51) opening into the grinder assembly (22). A collection jar (60) is configured for reception in the jar receiving area (26) and includes a vessel (62) defining a cavity (64) for collecting ground coffee (GC) expelled from the grinder assembly (22) during a grinding procedure. An integrated scale assembly (80) is disposed in a base portion (70) of the collection jar (60) for weighing the ground coffee (GC) as received in the collection jar (60).
Description
- The present concept generally related to a coffee grinder apparatus and, more particularly, to a coffee grinder apparatus having a collection jar with an integrated scale.
- One aspect of the present concept includes a coffee grinder apparatus having a housing with a support base, a pedestal portion extending upwardly from the support base, and a motor housing extending outwardly from the pedestal portion above the support base to define a jar receiving area therebetween. A motor is disposed in the motor housing and is operably coupled to a grinder assembly for powering the same. A hopper is operably coupled to an upper mounting portion of the motor housing disposed above the grinder assembly. The hopper assembly includes a cavity configured to hold coffee beans. The cavity includes an open base portion which opens into the grinder assembly. A collection jar is configured for reception in the jar receiving area and includes a vessel which defines a cavity for collecting ground coffee expelled from the grinder assembly during a grinding procedure. A scale assembly is included in the collection jar for weighing the ground coffee received in the vessel of the collection jar.
- Another aspect of the present concept includes a coffee grinder apparatus having a housing which includes a support base spaced-apart from a motor housing that is interconnected by a pedestal portion to define a jar receiving area therebetween. A motor is disposed in the motor housing and a grinder assembly is operably coupled to the motor for powering the same. A hopper is operably coupled to an inlet of the motor housing which is disposed above the grinder assembly. The hopper is configured to hold coffee beans for grinding during a grinding procedure. A collection jar is configured for lateral reception in the jar receiving area and includes a base portion operably coupled to a vessel body, wherein the vessel body is configured to collect ground coffee from the grinder assembly during the grinding procedure. An integrated scale assembly is configured for weighing an amount of ground coffee received in the vessel body of the collection jar. A digital display is disposed in the base portion of the collection jar and is operably coupled to the integrated scale assembly. The digital display is configured to display a weight of the amount of ground coffee received in the vessel body of the collection jar.
- Yet, another aspect of the present concept includes a method of using a coffee grinding apparatus having an integrated scale assembly. The method includes the steps of: 1) placing coffee beans in a vessel of a hopper mounted to an inlet of a motor housing, wherein the inlet opens into a grinder assembly of the coffee grinding apparatus; 2) removably mounting a collection jar on a support pad of the coffee grinding apparatus disposed below an outlet of the motor housing; 3) grinding the coffee beans from the vessel of the hopper using a motor configured to power the grinder assembly; 4) depositing an amount of ground coffee into a vessel of the collection jar; 5) weighing the amount of ground coffee using a digital measuring device integrated into a base portion of the collection jar, the digital measuring device including: one or more weight sensors operably coupled to a bottom wall of the vessel of the collection jar; a power source operably coupled to the one or more weight sensors; a digital interface operably coupled to the one or more weight sensors and further coupled to a digital display; 6) sensing a weight of the amount of ground coffee using the one or more weight sensors; 7) sending weight information via an electric signal from the one or more weight sensors to the digital interface; 8) processing the electric signal using the digital interface; and 9) displaying a measured weight of the amount of ground coffee on the digital display screen as received via a signal from the digital interface.
- These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
-
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FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a coffee grinder apparatus according to one embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a collection jar of the coffee grinder apparatus; -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the collection jar ofFIG. 2 taken at line III; -
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a base portion of the collection jar ofFIG. 2 with a vessel portion removed therefrom to reveal an integrated scale assembly; -
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the base portion and integrated scale assembly ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the base portion ofFIG. 5 ; and -
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a weight sensor of the integrated scale assembly. - For purposes of description herein the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in
FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. - Referring now to
FIG. 1 , acoffee grinder apparatus 10 is shown having abody portion 12 which includes asupport base 14, apedestal portion 16 which extends upwardly from thesupport base 14, and amotor housing 18 which is supported by thepedestal portion 16 and extends over thesupport base 14 to define a jar receiving area therebetween. Themotor housing 18 is configured to house amotor 20 which is operably coupled with agrinder assembly 22. Thegrinder assembly 22 is contemplated to be a burr grinder having metal burr grinding elements configured to grind coffee beans as powered by themotor 20. Apower switch 24 is disposed on thepedestal portion 16 of thecoffee grinder apparatus 10 and is configured to selectively provide power to the motor for powering a grinding sequence of thecoffee grinder apparatus 10. Thecoffee grinder apparatus 10 is contemplated to include a power cord for plugging into a household receptacle. Thebody portion 12 further includes auser interface 30 disposed on a front end of themotor housing 18 which includes arotary dial 32 disposed adjacent astationary bezel 34. Therotary dial 32 is configured for rotation along a path as indicated by arrow R to select a grind setting which typically will include markings disposed on thebezel 34 for selection by a user. It is contemplated that rotation of therotary dial 32 provides for various settings between the burr grinding elements to provide ground coffee (GC) suitable for various brewing techniques, such as French press, siphon, pour over, espresso, and other like settings. Thebezel 34 is coupled to themotor housing 18 viafasteners 36 which can be removed for accessing a driveshaft and other components of thegrinder assembly 22. - As further shown in
FIG. 1 , thecoffee grinding apparatus 10 further includes anupper mounting portion 40 disposed on themotor housing 18, and alower outlet portion 42 disposed below and aligned with theupper mounting portion 40 and thegrinder assembly 22. As further shown inFIG. 1 , an upper vessel orhopper jar 50 is configured to mount to theupper mounting portion 40 at anopen base portion 51. Thehopper 50 includes avessel body portion 53 which defines acavity 52 configured to hold coffee beans CB for grinding by thecoffee grinder apparatus 10. Thehopper 50 essentially defines a coffee bean hopper for thecoffee grinder apparatus 10 and includes alid 54 for coupling to anopen top portion 56 of thehopper 50 to seal thecavity 52. Theupper mounting portion 40 defines an inlet through which coffee beans CB pass through from theopen base portion 51 of thehopper 50 to thegrinder assembly 22. - As further shown in
FIG. 1 , thecoffee grinder apparatus 10 further includes a lower vessel orcollection jar 60 having avessel body portion 62 which generally defines acavity 64 for collecting ground coffee GC as ground and expelled by thegrinder assembly 22 throughoutlet 42 during a grinding procedure. Thevessel body 62 includes abottom wall 66 having anupper surface 66a (FIG. 2 ) on which the ground coffee GC is generally deposited during a coffee grinding event as received from thelower outlet 42 through anopen top 68 of thevessel body 62. Thecollection jar 60 further includes abase portion 70 having auser interface 72 as well as adigital display 74. Theuser interface 72 is shown in the form of a push button feature which may be used to turn on and off an integrated scale assembly 80 (FIG. 5 ) disposed in thebase portion 70, as further described below, or to change various scale display settings. Thedigital display 74 is contemplated to be an electronic display screen, such as an LCD screen assembly, used to display a measured weight of ground coffee GC received in thecavity 64 of thecollection jar 60. It is contemplated that thedigital display 74 can toggle between grams "g" and ounces "Oz", or other units of measure, as selected by the user using theuser interface 72. Thus, theuser interface 72 toggles thedigital display 74 between a first unit of measure (grams) and a second unit of measure (ounces). Theuser interface 72 can also be used to clear thescale assembly 80 for a zero reading or tare thescale assembly 80 for beginning a new weighing procedure in thecollection jar 60. - As further shown in
FIG. 1 , thecollection jar 60 is laterally received in thejar receiving area 26 in a direction as indicated by arrow A. As noted above, thejar receiving area 26 is defined between themotor housing 18, and specifically thelower outlet 42 thereof, and asupport surface 15 of thesupport base 14 on which thecollection jar 60 is supported and received. As shown inFIG. 1 , thecollection jar 60 has a combined height H of thevessel body 62 andbase portion 70, such that theopen top 68 is disposed directly adjacent to thelower outlet 42 of thehousing 12. In this way, thecollection jar 60 is configured to receive the ground coffee GC during a grinding sequence in such a manner as to avoid ground coffee missing thecollection jar 60 during the sequence. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 , thecollection jar 60 is shown with theopen top 68 configured to receive ground coffee GC (FIG. 1 ) therethrough along the path as indicated by arrow P. As noted above, the ground coffee GC (FIG. 1 ) is generally received on anupper surface 66a of thebottom wall 66 of thecavity 64 of thecollection jar 60 for weighing using an integrated scale 80 (FIG. 5 ) as further described below. As further shown inFIG. 2 , thebase portion 70 includes anupper collar 76 and abottom cover 78 which are coupled together to define a general structure of thebase portion 70 in which the integratedscale assembly 80 is disposed. - Referring now to
FIG. 3 , thecollection jar 60 is shown in a cross-sectional view with components of an integratedscale assembly 80 shown disposed in thebase portion 70. The integratedscale 80 is operably coupled to thevessel body 62 of thecollection jar 60 at alower surface 66b of thebottom wall 66 for weighing the contents of thecavity 64 of thecollection jar 60, as further described below. - Referring now to
FIG. 4 , the integratedscale assembly 80, or digital measuring device, is shown entirely disposed within thebase portion 70 of thecollection jar 60 and includes abattery cover 82 for housing first andsecond batteries scale assembly 80. The first andsecond batteries scale assembly 80 may be used with the present concept. Thebatteries individual weight sensors 90 which are operably coupled to thebottom cover 78 of thebase portion 70 viafasteners 92. Theweight sensors 90 define a plurality of weight sensors or a sensor array disposed in thebase portion 70. Theweight sensors 90 includeupper contact pads 94 which are generally planar surfaces configured to abut thelower surface 66b of thebottom wall 66 of thecollection jar 60, as best shown inFIG. 3 . Theweight sensors 90 are contemplated to be sub-miniature resistive load cells having the accuracy necessary to precisely measure an amount of ground coffee received in thecollection jar 60. Theweight sensors 90 can be any type of weighing sensor such as strain gauges, transducers, load cells, or pressure sensors, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present concept to any one type of sensor. Theweight sensors 90 are contemplated to be used in a compression force measurement application for measuring the ground coffee received in thecavity 64 of thecollection jar 60. Thus, as ground coffee is received in thecavity 64 of thecollection jar 60, the weight of the ground coffee is transferred to theweight sensors 90 for measurement thereof. Theweight sensors 90 are operably and electrically coupled to adigital interface 100 which is configured to send display commands to thedisplay 74 for displaying a measured weight of ground coffee received from theweight sensors 90 in use. Thedigital interface 100 is contemplated to be a micro-chip, printed circuit board (PCB), or other like digital processor capable of taking load information in the form of electric signals sent from theseparate weight sensors 90 and processing the signal information for display on thedigital display 74 of thebase portion 70. Thedigital interface 100 is contemplated to be a PCB which is best shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 7 . Theuser interface button 72 is also operably coupled to thedigital interface 100 for use in taring or zeroing thescale 80, as well as providing other features selected by a user, such as a change in measuring units. It is contemplated that any number ofweight sensors 90 can be used in conjunction with the present concept, and as coffee grounds are randomly compiled in thecavity 64 of thecollection jar 60,multiple weight sensors 90 are shown for use with the present concept inFIG. 4 for calculating a measured weight using a number of various weight inputs from thedifferent weight sensors 90. - As shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5 , thebase portion 70 of thecollection jar 60 further includesupstanding support members 102 which upwardly extend from anupper surface 78a of thebottom cover 78 of thebase portion 70 viafasteners 104. Theupstanding support members 102 further include U-shaped arm features 106 which are flexibly resilient and configured to protect theintegrated scale assembly 80 from an overload situation. Specifically, theupstanding support members 102 are configured to abut thelower surface 66b of thebottom wall 66 of thevessel body 62 in an overload situation to protect theweight sensors 90 from damage. - Referring now to
FIG. 6 , thelower surface 78b of thebottom cover 78 of thebase portion 70 is shown withfasteners 104 accessible therefrom. Thebottom cover 78 further includes a removable or openingbattery cover 110 having a lockingfeature 112 for providing access to and for closing thebattery housing 82 shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 . A plurality ofsupport feet 114 are disposed on and downwardly extend through thebottom cover 78. Thesupport feet 114 are configured to support theweight sensors 90 which ultimately weigh and support thecollection jar 60 on a support surface, such assupport surface 15 of thecoffee grinder apparatus 10 shown inFIG. 1 . Eachsupport foot 114 may include a rubberized feature for providing extra grip for thecollection jar 60 as supported on a support surface. - Referring now to
FIG. 7 , thebase portion 70 is shown with thedisplay 74 and thedigital interface 100 coupled together and exploded away from thebase portion 70. As further shown inFIG. 7 , aweight sensor 90 is shown in an exploded form away from thebase portion 70. Thebase portion 70 includes a plurality ofcompartments 120 which extend upwardly from theupper surface 78a of thebottom cover 78. A receivingaperture 122 is disposed through thebottom cover 78 within the confines of each of thecompartments 120. Eachcompartment 120 is configured to receive aweight sensor 90, as best shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 . Theweight sensor 90 ofFIG. 7 includes theupper contact pad 94 having mountingapertures 124 which are configured to receivefasteners 126 therethrough for mounting to mountingbosses 128 which upwardly extend from theupper surface 78a of thebottom cover 78. Theweight sensor 90 further includes abase support member 130 having asupport platform 132 and abase sleeve portion 134. Thebase sleeve portion 134 extends downwardly from thesupport platform 132 and is configured to at least partially receive asupport column 136 therein. Thesupport column 136 includes afoot 114 disposed on a lower portion thereof for supporting theweight sensor 90 as described above. Theweight sensor 90 further includes abeam 140 which is configured to couple to thesupport platform 132 of thebase support member 130 viafasteners 142. Thebeam 140 is a deformable member configured to flex or deform as coffee grounds are added to thecollection jar 60 such that a change in resistance and voltage output can be measured by theweight sensor 90 for processing by thedigital interface 100. In this way, thevessel body 62 of thecollection jar 60 floats on theweight sensors 90 to a very minimal extent such that the contents of thecavity 64 defined by thevessel body 62 can be weighed by theweight sensors 90 as coupled thereto. - With further reference to
FIG. 3 , theweight sensor 90 is shown having thesupport column 136 extending through thebottom cover 78 withfoot 114 disposed thereon for supporting theweight sensor 90 through thebase portion 70. As noted above, theweight sensor 90 further supports thevessel body 62 at alower surface 66b of thebottom wall 66 of thevessel body 62 in a way that theweight sensor 90 can weigh the contents of thecavity 64 of thevessel body 62. - A method of using the
coffee grinding apparatus 10 is also disclosed herein, wherein the method includes the steps of: 1) taring the digital measuring device integratedscale assembly 80 using theuser interface 72. 2) Placing coffee beans CB (FIG. 1 ) in thevessel 53 of thebean hopper 50 mounted to theinlet 40 of themotor housing 18, wherein theinlet 40 opens into thegrinder assembly 22 of thecoffee grinding apparatus 10. 3) Removably mounting thecollection jar 60 on asupport surface 15 of thecoffee grinding apparatus 10 disposed below theoutlet 42 of themotor housing 18. 4) Grinding the coffee beans CB from thevessel 53 of thehopper 50 using themotor 20 configured to power thegrinder assembly 22. 5) Depositing an amount of ground coffee GC into thevessel 62 of thecollection jar 60. 6) Weighing the amount of ground coffee GC (FIG. 1 ) using thedigital measuring device 80 integrated into thebase portion 70 of thecollection jar 60. 7) Sensing a weight of the amount of ground coffee GC using one ormore weight sensors 90. 8) Sending weight information via an electric signal from the one ormore weight sensors 90 to thedigital interface 100. 9) Processing the electric signal using thedigital interface 100. 10) Displaying the measured weight of the amount of ground coffee GC on thedigital display 74 as received via a signal from thedigital interface 100 to thedigital display 74.
Claims (15)
- A coffee grinder apparatus (10), comprising:a housing (12) including a support base (14), a pedestal portion (16) extending upwardly from the support base (14), and a motor housing (18) extending outwardly from the pedestal portion (16) and above the support base (14) to define a jar receiving area (26) therebetween;a motor (20) disposed in the motor housing (18), the motor (20) operably coupled to a grinder assembly (22);a hopper (50) operably coupled to an upper mounting portion (40) of the motor housing (18), the hopper (50) including a cavity (52) having an open base portion (51) which opens into the grinder assembly (22);a collection jar (60) configured for reception in the jar receiving area (26), the collection jar (60) including a vessel (62) defining a cavity (64) for collecting ground coffee (GC) expelled from the grinder assembly (22) during a grinding procedure; anda scale assembly (80) for weighing the ground coffee (GC) received in the vessel (62) of the collection jar (60).
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the collection jar (60) includes a base portion (70) operably coupled to the vessel (62) of the collection jar (60), and further wherein the scale assembly (80) is disposed within the base portion (70) of the collection jar (60).
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein the scale assembly (80) includes one or more weight sensors (90) for weighing the ground coffee (GC) received in the collection jar (60).
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 3, wherein the scale assembly (80) includes a digital interface (100) operably coupled to the one or more weight sensors (90), the digital interface (100) configured to process electric signals sent from the one or more weight sensors (90).
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 4, including:a digital display (74) operably coupled to the digital interface (100), the digital display (74) configured to display a weight of the ground coffee (GC) received in the collection jar (60).
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 5, including:a user interface (72) operably coupled to the digital interface (100), the user interface (72) configured to tare the scale assembly (80).
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 6, wherein the user interface (72) toggles the scale assembly (80) between a first unit of measure and a second unit of measure.
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 1, including:a digital display (74) coupled to the scale assembly (80) for displaying a weight of ground coffee (GC) received in the vessel (62) of the collection jar (60).
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 8, wherein the one or more weight sensors (90) includes a plurality of weight sensors (90), and further wherein each weight sensor (90) of the plurality of weight sensors (90) includes an upper contact pad (94) configured to abut a lower surface (66b) of a bottom wall (66) of the vessel (62) of the collection jar (60).
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 9, wherein each weight sensor (90) of the plurality of weight sensors (90) includes a deformable beam (140) coupled to a base support member (130) having a support platform (132) and a base sleeve portion (134) extending downwardly from the support platform (132).
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 10, wherein each weight sensor (90) of the plurality of weight sensors (90) includes a support column (136) at least partially received in the base sleeve portion (134) of the base support member (130).
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 11, wherein the base support member (130) includes a support foot (114) disposed on a lower portion thereof.
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 12, wherein each weight sensor (90) of the plurality of weight sensors (90) is received in a compartment (120) disposed on a bottom cover (78) of the base portion (70) of the collection jar (60).
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 13, wherein the support foot (114) of the base support member (130) extends outwardly through receiving apertures (122) disposed through the bottom cover (78) of the base portion (70) of the collection jar (60) within the compartment (120).
- The coffee grinder apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the collection jar (60) is configured for lateral reception in the jar receiving area (26).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/944,679 US10317274B2 (en) | 2015-11-18 | 2015-11-18 | Coffee grinder with integrated scale |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3170433A1 true EP3170433A1 (en) | 2017-05-24 |
Family
ID=57184371
Family Applications (1)
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EP16195106.6A Withdrawn EP3170433A1 (en) | 2015-11-18 | 2016-10-21 | Coffee grinder with integrated scale |
Country Status (3)
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US (1) | US10317274B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3170433A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2016253709B2 (en) |
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IT201700115685A1 (en) * | 2017-10-13 | 2019-04-13 | Bernardi Marilena | WEIGHING SCALE FOR CONTAINERS FOR THE COLLECTION OF FUNDS AND DRIED COFFEE POWDER |
IT202100029852A1 (en) * | 2021-11-25 | 2022-02-25 | Davide Cappellini | DEVICE AND PROCEDURE FOR GRINDING AND DOSING COFFEE. |
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IT201600127475A1 (en) * | 2016-12-16 | 2018-06-16 | Rancilio Group Spa | Weighing unit for ground coffee, coffee grinding device and coffee machine comprising said weighing unit and method for their operation |
USD889906S1 (en) * | 2018-04-12 | 2020-07-14 | Whirlpool Corporation | Burr grinder |
TWI731257B (en) * | 2018-08-22 | 2021-06-21 | 緯創資通股份有限公司 | Electronic scale and method for controlling electronic scale |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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AU2016253709B2 (en) | 2021-09-30 |
AU2016253709A1 (en) | 2017-06-01 |
US20170138782A1 (en) | 2017-05-18 |
US10317274B2 (en) | 2019-06-11 |
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